Low Chemical Oxygen Demand Removal Research Articles

Performance of denitrifying microbial fuel cell subjected to variation in pH, COD concentration and external resistance

The effects of pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration and external resistance on denitrifying microbial fuel cell were evaluated in terms of electricity generation characteristics and pollutant removal performance. The results showed that anodic influent with weakly alkaline or neutral pH and cathodic influent with weakly acidic pH favored pollutant removal and electricity generation. The suitable influent pH of the anode and cathode were found to be 7.5-8.0 and 6.0-6.5, respectively. In the presence of sufficient nitrate in the cathode, higher influent COD concentration led to more electricity generation and greater pollutant removal rates. With an anodic influent pH of 8.0 and a cathodic influent pH of 6.0, an influent COD concentration of 400 mg/L was deemed to be appropriate. Low external resistance favored nitrate and COD removal. The results suggest that operation of denitrifying microbial fuel cell at a lower external resistance would be desirable for pollutant removal but not electricity generation.

Bioelectricity Generation from Palm Oil Mill Effluent in Microbial Fuel Cell Using Polacrylonitrile Carbon Felt as Electrode

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is an organic waste material produced at the oil palm mills. In its raw form, POME is highly polluting due to its high content of biological and chemical oxygen demand. In the present paper, POME was treated using double chamber microbial fuel cell with simultaneous generation of electricity. Polyacrylonitrile carbon felt (PACF), a new electrode material was used as electrode throughout the MFC experiments. Various dilutions of raw POME were used to analyze the effect of initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) on MFC power generation, COD removal efficiency and coulombic efficiency. Anaerobic sludge was used as inoculum for all the MFC experiments. Since this inoculum originated from POME, it showed higher potential to generate bioenergy from complex POME. Anaerobic sludge enhanced the power production due to better utilization of substrates by various types of microorganisms present in it. Among the raw POME and different concentrations of POME used, the PACF with raw POME showed the maximum power density and volumetric power density of about 45 mW/m2 and 304 mW/m3, respectively, but it showed low coulombic efficiency and low COD removal efficiency of about 0.8 % and 45 %, respectively. The MFC PACF with 1:50 dilution showed higher COD removal efficiency and coulombic efficiency of about 70 % and 24 % but showed low power density and low volumetric power density of about 22 mW/m2 and 149 mW/m3, respectively. The formation of biofilm onto the electrode surface has been confirmed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments. The results confirm that MFC possesses great potential for the simultaneous treatment of POME and power generation using PACF as electrode and also shows that initial COD has great influence on coulombic efficiency, COD removal efficiency and power generation.

Comparative performance of anaerobic reactors for treatment of sago industry wastewater

For a country like India where energy continues to be precious, with oil prices continuing to rise unlike in the West, anaerobic digestion has far greater relevance than it has to many other regions of the world. The cassava starch production in our country is mainly concentrated in small to medium scale factories, which generates 30,000–40,000 l of effluent per ton of sago produced. The effluent is acidic and highly organic in nature having chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 5,000–7,000 mg l−1 during the season and 1,000–5,000 during the off-season. These effluents pose a serious threat to the environment and quality of life in the rural area. Since the treatment of cassava starch factory effluents through the normal biogas plants with 30–55 days retention period is very costly, attempts have been made to treat them through high-rate hybrid reactor with several hours of retention period. In Random-Packed Anaerobic Filter, the maximum COD reduction was observed (84.4 %) at 10 h hydraulic retention time (HRT). At 4 h HRT only 46.3 % COD was removed. Even though higher COD removal was achieved at 20 h, the better HRT was at 10 h as the difference between the 20 and 10 h HRT in only 0.2 %. In Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor, the maximum COD removal (90 %) and total solid (TS) removal (82 %) were observed in a HRT of 30 h, whereas low COD (67 %) and TSs (64 %) removal was observed at 5 h HRT. The treatment of sago industry effluent in a hybrid reactor was studied and the HRT employed was 10, 24, 32, and 40 h. The COD removal rates were 86, 93, 94, and 95 %, and the TSs removal was 79, 85, 86, and 89 %. When the results of all these three reactors were compared, the hybrid reactor seems to be better with an optimum HRT range of 10–20 h. Hence, the anaerobic digestion has proved to be an effective method of treating the sago industry wastewater with simultaneous production of energy in the form of methane.

Application of Dual Media Biofilm Reactors for Removing Organic Matter and Ammonia from PesticideWastewaters

This study investigated the aerobic treatment of two different types of wastewaters emanating from manufacture of pyrethroid and organophosphorus pesticides in dual media biofilm reactors packed with polyurethane foam and Pall ring. Two dual media reactors were employed: one reactor treating a pyrethroid pesticide wastewater containing 4000–4400 mg/L of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 135–200 mg/L of ammonia and the other an organophosphorus pesticide wastewater containing 6400– 7200 mg/L of COD and 50–160 mg/L of ammonia. Over 84% of COD and 97% of ammonia were removed in the reactor receiving the pyrethroid pesticide wastewater with 48 h of hydraulic retention time (HRT). Conversely, with 72 h of HRT the reactor treating the organophosphorus pesticide wastewater demonstrated a limited treatment capability, achieving a lower COD removal efficiency of 77% and exhibiting no ammonia removal.

Enhanced chemical oxygen demand removal and flux reduction in pulp and paper wastewater treatment using laccase-polymerized membrane filtration

The purpose of this present study is to investigate the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from pulp and paper wastewater using laccase-polymerized membrane filtration process. The membranes with molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of 5000 and 10,000, 30,000 and 54,000 were used in a cross-flow module to treat the pulp and paper wastewater containing high phenolic constituents and COD. With 2.98 IU/L of activated laccase applied at room temperature for 180 min, the contaminants in raw wastewater and second effluent were polymerized to form larger molecules with average molecular weight of 1300 and 900 Da (Dalton), respectively. With laccase polymerization prior to filtration, over 60% removals of COD by the four investigated membranes were observed, compared with low COD removal without laccase polymerization. Moreover, the addition of laccase resulted in 4–14% reduction of membrane permeability during the first 180 min filtration operation due to gel layer formation by the polymerization. No further flux decline was observed afterwards indicating the steady state was reached and the membranes could be used to remove the polymerized pollutants without significant fouling. The maximum apparent resistance occurrence for raw wastewater treated with laccase also supported the effectiveness for COD removal with laccase polymerization before membrane filtration. Additionally, pretreatment by inactivated laccase only caused further flux reduction without additional removal of COD.

Winery and distillery wastewater treatment by constructed wetland with shorter retention time

The rationale for using constructed wetlands for treating wastewater is that wetlands are naturally among the most biological active ecosystem on earth. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of shorter retention time on the performance of constructed wetland in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and other elements removal. The application of wastewater with retention time of seven days as well as the evaluation of water quality after treatment at Goudini experimental wetland was carried out throughout the year. The results had shown an overall average COD removal of 60% throughout the year. Results also showed reasonable removal of other elements namely; potassium, pH, nitrogen, electrical conductivity, calcium, sodium, magnesium and boron from the wastewater by constructed wetlands. The results showed low COD removal during July until September after which it improved tremendously. The reason for low COD removal during first three months could be attributed to the fact that there was no gradual increase of wastewater application to the wetlands i.e. from 4,050 litres per day to 8,100 litres per day. The results had showed that constructed wetland as a secondary treatment system is effective in terms of COD and other elements removal from winery and distillery wastewater. COD removal throughout the year was 60% with seven days retention time. When compared with previous studies that showed 80% COD removal within 14 days retention time, therefore the 60% removal is very critical to wine industries as more wastewater will be applied to the system.

Advanced purification of petroleum refinery wastewater by catalytic vacuum distillation

In our work, a new process, catalytic vacuum distillation (CVD) was utilized for purification of petroleum refinery wastewater that was characteristic of high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and salinity. Moreover, various common promoters, like FeCl(3), kaolin, H(2)SO(4) and NaOH were investigated to improve the purification efficiency of CVD. Here, the purification efficiency was estimated by COD testing, electrolytic conductivity, UV-vis spectrum, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and pH value. The results showed that NaOH promoted CVD displayed higher efficiency in purification of refinery wastewater than other systems, where the pellucid effluents with low salinity and high COD removal efficiency (99%) were obtained after treatment, and the corresponding pH values of effluents varied from 7 to 9. Furthermore, environment estimation was also tested and the results showed that the effluent had no influence on plant growth. Thus, based on satisfied removal efficiency of COD and salinity achieved simultaneously, NaOH promoted CVD process is an effective approach to purify petroleum refinery wastewater.

Uso de extrato de levedura como fonte de carbono e de mediadores redox, para a degradação anaeróbia de corante azo

O trabalho investigou a influência do uso do extrato de levedura, fonte dos mediadores redox riboflavina e nicotinamida, na remoção de cor de solução de corante azo Drimaren Azul HF-RL em condições anaeróbias. O trabalho envolveu a execução de ensaios em batelada, em frascos-reatores mantidos a 25 ºC, incubados com o azo-corante e lodo anaeróbio na presença e ausência de fontes de carbono (extrato de levedura ou glicose) e de mediadores redox (riboflavina ou extrato de levedura). O monitoramento da variação temporal de cor, a demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) e ácidos graxos voláteis (AGV) mostraram que a adição de extrato de levedura (0,5 g/L) resultou em eficiências de remoção de cor de 80 a 85% nas primeiras 24 horas de incubação, e que os produtos da degradação do azo-corante foram tóxicos para todo o consórcio anaeróbio, o que resultou em baixas eficiências de remoção de DQO na presença e ausência do extrato de levedura. Os resultados indicaram, ainda, que as eficiências de remoção de cor foram inferiores a 30% na presença de apenas glicose (fonte de carbono) ou riboflavina (mediador redox), indicando que o extrato de levedura atuou simultaneamente como fonte de carbono e de mediadores redox.

Anaerobic Co-digestion of Fruit and Vegetable Waste and Sewage Sludge

Fruit and vegetable wastes are generated in large quantities around the world. This kind of residue constitutes a source of nuisance in municipal landfills because of its high biodegradability. Another residue that is generated in large quantities around the world and also constitutes a source of nuisance is the sewage sludge. Both residues can be treated together by the anaerobic co-digestion process. In this sense, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the anaerobic co-digestion of fruit and vegetable waste and sewage sludge, in order to monitor the waste stabilization time and the biogas generation, among others. The study was conducted in a 70 litter stainless steel anaerobic reactor, with no mixing system, at room temperature (25±5ºC), during a period of 105 days. The fruit and vegetable wastes were collected in a central distribution market for food, and were shredded and blended before the experiment. The seed inoculum was collected in an anaerobic domestic sewage station of treatment. The parameters analyzed were: chemical oxygen demand, C/N and C/N/P ratios, pH, alkalinity, volatile fatty acids, and biogas generation. The results showed that the chemical oxygen demand was reduced around 20%. The parameters, pH, alkalinity and volatile fatty acids were stabilized, but the C/N wasn’t stabilized. The final value obtained for C/N ratio was around 20/1. The biogas generation was around 331 litters and most of the biogas production occurred during the first month of the experiment. The low chemical oxygen demand removal, the high C/N ratio and the biogas generation almost always in the first few days of the experiment probably indicate that this residue, although being organic, presents difficulties in its degradation, maybe because of the high organic load that was applied to the reactor. The fact of the reactor being disproved by a mixing system can also have contributed to the low residue degradation.

The effect of solids on the electrochemical treatment of olive mill effluents

AbstractThe electrochemical oxidation of an olive mill effluent over Ti–Pt anodes was studied. The effluent had an average total chemical oxygen demand (COD) value of 234 g L−1, soluble COD of 61 g L−1, soluble phenolic content 3.4 g L−1, total solids of 80 g L−1 and pH = 5.1. Experiments were conducted in a 10 L vessel with the effluent recirculating at 1 L s−1. The applied current was varied between 5 and 20 A, the salinity between 1 and 4% NaCl, and experiments were performed with the effluent diluted with water to achieve the desired initial concentration. Emphasis was given to the effect of the presence of solids as well as of varying operating conditions on process performance as assessed in terms of COD, color and phenols removal. In general, degradation of phenols occurred relatively fast with conversion increasing with increasing applied current and decreasing initial organic loading and this was accompanied by low COD removal levels and moderate decolorization. The presence of solids had practically no effect on phenols removal, which, in most cases, was complete in less than about 180 min of reaction. However, oxidation in the presence of solids resulted in a substantial solid fraction being dissolved and this consequently increased sample color and the soluble COD content. The solid content typically found in olive mill effluents may partially impede its treatment by electrochemical oxidation, thus requiring more severe operating conditions and greater energy consumption. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

Effect of Electrochemical Treatment of Oleic Acid on Anaerobic Digestion

Electrochemical pre-treatment of oleate on anaerobic digestion was investigated using two anaerobic filters (AF and AFm) working, respectively, with increasing concentrations of electrochemically pre-treated oleate and oleate. Influents containing 25% and 50% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of these substrates did not cause relevant alterations in either digester's performance. Comparatively, the pre-treated oleate unit (AF) showed a higher gas production but a lower COD removal than AFm (2.0 vs 1.5 m3 CH4 m−3 d−1; 76-85 vs 91-93% COD removal). The raised AFm COD removal together with the larger proportion of VSS in its effluent than in AF (5.69 vs 0.26 kg m−3) indicate that the biomass washout can be a consequence of the encapsulated solids by lipidic compounds that were not fairly degraded. Further increases of oleate in AFm feed (75 and 100% COD) led to decreases of biogas production to half and COD removal from values higher than 90% to 83-75%. The simultaneous increase of effluent VSS concentrations to 10-12 kg m−3 emphasizes the oleate negative effect. The use of pre-treated oleate as the only carbon source did not influence negatively the AF behaviour in terms of methane production. COD removal was maintained at values higher than 80% and the effluent VSS at low concentrations (0.15 kg m−3). The significantly higher methane yield achieved by AF than AFm indicates a higher accumulation of oleate than pre-treated oleate. Therefore, electrochemical process stands for a suitable pre-treatment for lipid rich effluents, allowing the application of higher organic loads keeping a higher methane yield.

Fungal treatment of corn processing wastewater in an attached growth system

Corn processing wastewater was treated in an attached growth system of Rhizopus oligosporus fungi. The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and plant-based components in the support media were evaluated in 1 L reactors under non-aseptic conditions. Plastic composite support (PCS) tubes, composed of 50% (w/w) polypropylene (PP) and 50% (w/w) agricultural products were used as support media or, as a test, PP only. A maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 78% was achieved at a 5 h HRT with a biomass yield of 0.44 gVSS/gCODremoved. The biomass yield increased to 0.48 gVSS/gCODremoved while COD removal reduced to 70% at a 2.5 h HRT. Competitive bacterial growth was reduced at the shorter HRT. A lower HRT of 1.25 h led to biomass wash out from the reactor. Significantly lower COD removal of 28% and biomass yield of 0.19 gVSS/gCODremoved were observed in a biofilm reactor with PP tubes alone, indicating that the agricultural components in PCS media were essential for better biofilm formation and organic removal.

Physico-chemical treatment of Merida landfill leachate for chemical oxygen demand reduction by coagulation

In order to determine the optimal dosage and type of coagulant for the physico-chemical treatment of leachate from the sanitary landfill of Merida, Mexico, a total of 864 jar tests were performed. Four metallic coagulants (ferric chloride, ferric sulphate, aluminium polychloride and aluminium sulphate) with doses ranging between 50 and 300 mg L(-1) and two polyelectrolytes (high-density anionic and cationic reagents) with doses from 2 to 12 mg L(-1) were tested. Neither an adequate type of coagulant nor an optimal dose could be found. The removal of contaminants was measured as total and dissolved chemical oxygen demand (COD). Soluble COD removal efficiencies were low, from 0 to 47%, with a 4% average value only. These low values of organic material removal were attributed to the particular characteristics of the Merida landfill leachate (low suspended solids concentration), so even with sweep-floc coagulation (300 mg L(-1) dose) only low COD removal efficiencies were obtained. A study of the suspended particle size distribution of the leachate was conducted in order to explain the poor performance. The particle size distribution ranged from 0.375 to 948.2 microm, with an average value of 22.97 microm. In a second step the optimal pH for physico-chemical treatment of these leachates was determined. Finally a greater than 90% removal of organic material, measured as suspended COD, was obtained at pH 2, which was considered as the optimal value.

Electrochemical oxidation of olive oil mill wastewaters

The electrochemical oxidation of olive oil mill wastewaters over a titanium–tantalum–platinum–iridium anode was investigated. Batch experiments were conducted in a flow-through electrolytic cell with internal recycle at voltage of 5, 7 and 9 V, NaCl concentrations of 1%, 2% and 4%, recirculation rates of 0.4 and 0.62 L/s and initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations of 1475, 3060, 5180 and 6545 mg/L. The conversion of total phenols and COD as well as the extent of decolorization generally increased with increasing voltage, salinity and recirculation rate and decreasing initial concentration. In most cases, nearly complete degradation of phenols and decolorization were achieved at short treatment times up to 60 min; this was accompanied by a relatively low COD removal that never exceeded 40% even after prolonged (up to 240 min) times. The consumption of energy per unit mass of COD removed after 120 min of treatment was found to be a strong function of the operating conditions and was generally low at high initial concentrations and/or reduced salinity. The acute toxicity to marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri decreased slightly during the early stages of the reaction and this was attributed to the removal of phenols. However, as the reaction proceeded toxicity increased due to the formation of organochlorinated by-products as confirmed by GC/MS analysis. The toxicity to Daphnia magna increased sharply at short treatment times and remained quite high even after prolonged oxidation.

Discoloration of methylene blue and wastewater from a plant by a Fe/Cu bimetallic system

Using a Fe/Cu bimetallic system (Fe/Cu system), the discoloration of both methylene blue in aqueous solution and the colored wastewater from a plant was investigated under the anaerobic condition in batch or continuous reactors. Results show that the Fe/Cu system effectively removed the color with over 88% of color removal efficiency for both methylene blue solution and the wastewater from the plant in batch test. Color removal efficiencies increased rapidly with Fe/Cu dosage and reaction time, respectively, at initial time and slowly to stable values. Optimum pH was neutral range. In addition, in continuous test it also removed the color of the wastewater from the plant with 63% of discoloring efficiency under the condition of 2 h of hydraulic retention time and neutral range of pH (7.0–8.3). High discoloring efficiencies with low chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies were found in all experiments. The reduction of chromophores in pollutants was the main mechanism of the discoloration in the Fe/Cu system.

Toxicity Studies of Tobacco Wastewater

Abstract Investigations carried out on tobacco industry wastewater showed that important sources of toxic contaminants are flavoring agents containing glycogen and alcohol, absorbable organic halogens and pesticides from tobacco leaves. Shock loading of these contaminants inhibited bacterial activity during biological treatment. Input of wastewater containing such toxic substances caused decreases in bacterial number and reduced the efficiency of the treatment plant. Viable numbers of floc-forming, total and faecal coliform bacteria within the biological treatment unit were monitored. Mortalities in bacterial populations and low chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies were detected when absorbable organic halogens and pesticide concentrations were above 100 and 120 mg l-1, respectively. Short-term bioassays (using bacteria, protozoa or algae) and enrichment toxicity tests (including bacteria) performed to determine potential toxicity demonstrated that 90% mortalities in microbial populations were detected when absorbable organic halogens and pesticide concentrations were as high as 200 and 290 mg l-1, respectively. Enrichment toxicity tests indicated whether toxic, growth limiting or stimulation conditions were present. These tests showed that sufficient nutrients can stimulate bacterial growth, and high organic halogens and pesticide concentrations and chemical to biological oxygen demand ratios may inhibit microbial growth. Furthermore, results of chemical coagulation/flocculation test experiments showed that chemical treatment is effective at reducing toxicity.

Aerobic Biodegradation of Nitroglycerin in a Sequencing Batch Reactor

Biological treatment of nitroglycerin (glycerol trinitrate [GTN]) by a mixed microbial culture was examined under aerobic conditions in a bench‐scale sequencing batch reactor with GTN present as a minor component in the feed. Initial operation demonstrated the resistance of GTN and glycerol dinitrates (GDNs) to microbial attack. The presence of GTN and GDNs adversely affected microbial activity, reflected by erratic mixed liquor suspended solids concentrations and low chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies. Complete removal of GTN and GDNs was contingent on addition of a GTN‐adapted inoculum. Transient accumulation and subsequent removal of 1,2‐GDN, 1,3‐GDN, and nitrite were measured during individual reaction cycles. Complete mineralization of GTN was confirmed and GDN denitration was the rate limiting step governing GTN mineralization.

Anaerobic biotransformation of four3-carbon compounds (acrolein, acrylic acid, allyl alcohol and n-propanol) in UASB reactors

Anaerobic biotransformation of the 3-carbon compounds, namely acrolein, acrylic acid, allyl alcohol, and n-propanol was investigated in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors containing granular cultures. The toxic effects of acrolein, acrylic acid, and allyl alcohol on an acetate-enriched Methanosarcina culture were determined. Furthermore, process staging, effect of operational parameters such as influent concentration, F/ M ratio and loading rate were also considered. Acrolein, acrylic acid, and allyl alcohol were found to be inhibitory to acetate-enriched Methanosarcina cultures starting from the concentrations of 20, 60, and 3000 mg/l, respectively. Inhibition is defined as the reduction in the activity (in terms of gas production rate) of a batch reactor relative to its activity before the addition of the test chemical. The results of UASB experiments revealed that granular cultures could be acclimated to utilize acrolein, acrylic acid, allyl alcohol, and n-propanol as the sole substrates. Acrolein concentrations up to 300 mg/l were treated with 90% efficiency. In a single-stage UASB reactor, acrylic acid biotransformation and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 95–99 and 45%, respectively, were achieved at an influent concentration of 3000 mg/l. The low COD removal was due to persistence of acetic and propionic acids, as intermediates of acrylic acid. When a two-stage UASB system was employed at the same acrylic acid influent concentration, the COD removal efficiency increased to 97%. At an F/ M ratio of 0.027 g COD/g biomass-day, 1000 mg/l of influent allyl alcohol was removed at an efficiency of about 85% after 30 days of acclimation in a single-stage UASB reactor. n-Propanol was biotransformed to mainly propionic acid with more than 99% efficiency at an influent concentration and F/ M ratio of 3000 mg/l and 0.27 g COD/g biomass-day, respectively, in a single-stage UASB reactor. But the COD removal did not exceed 68% because of the propionic acid persistence. However, a two-stage UASB system improved the COD removal to 99% for the same n-propanol influent concentration of 3000 mg/l.

Anaerobic treatment of high-sulfate wastes

Six parallel upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors were operated at chemical oxygen demand (COD) loads from 3 to 10 kg COD/(m3∙d). Four reactors (R1–R4) were fed sodium sulfate at loads of 1–3 kg S-SO4/(m3∙d). Reactors R1 and R2 were fed spent cheese whey with R1 being operated in an unstripped and R2 in a stripped mode. At COD loads below 5 kg/(m3∙d), the removal in R1 was 60–80% COD and generally trailed R2 by a margin of 0–15%. At higher COD loads and at higher SO4/COD ratios, the performance of R1 deteriorated significantly. A similar situation was found in the pair R3 (unstripped) and R4 (stripped), which was fed a mixture of spent whey and sulfite cooking liquor. Reactors R5 and R6 were subjected to the same feed as R3 and R4, but no sulfate was added. A comparison of R4 with R6 indicated slightly lower COD removal in R4 with similar amounts of volatile fatty acids accumulating in both reactors in cases of overloading. Key words: anaerobic treatment, sulfides, methanogenesis, inhibition, sludge bed reactor, dairy wastes, pulp and paper wastes, sulfate reduction.